Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case I, Shelf 139, Box II

"Come on! Only fifty years to go! You can do it!"

Print
2004 (made), 19/04/2004 (printed and published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a reproduction of an original drawn cartoon that appeared in the Evening Standard on 19 April 2004. It is artist Marf's take on the current news story. As she describes it: 'Sunday’s annual London Marathon is a triumph – but on Monday morning, images of the gruelling event resonate in commuters’ minds. In a year of job insecurity, and government calls for retirement to be delayed until 70 years of age as pension funds collapse, the future looks like one long slog.'

'Marf' drew daily topical cartoons for the Evening Standard between March 2002 and August 2005, moving to the Londoner's Diary page in August 2003. The drawings cover key political and social issues of the period, providing a vivid and often hilarious response to the main news of the day. The Evening Standard is London's only evening newspaper, publishing up to five editions a day. In Marf's own words: 'The cartoonist needs to keep up with the rapid pace of event.'


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title"Come on! Only fifty years to go! You can do it!" (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink on paper
Brief description
Reproduction of a cartoon, "Come on! Only fifty years to go! You can do it!" by 'Marf' (Martha Richler), published in The Evening Standard, 19th April 2004; London.
Physical description
Print reproduction of a black and white line drawn cartoon showing a marathon in progress, except that the frantic runners are all wearing suits and carrying briefcases. They have just passed under a 'London Underground' sign. Alongside the road, which is decorated with a 'Flora Rat Race' banner, are enthusiastic supporters, a retired couple and a young mum and daughter. Each runner wears a bib with competitor number. In the background is familiar London architecture, old and new, including the office block nicknamed the 'Gherkin'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 29.6cm
  • Width: 42cm
Production typeCopy
Marks and inscriptions
  • Monday 19th April '04 (Top left, reproduced writing (the '04 orginally in pencil). Partially cut off above in the printing process.)
  • "Come on! Only fifty years to go! You can do it!" (Across bottom; title to piece, reproduced writing)
  • MARF (Artist signature bottom left of image, reproduced. Also in pencil bottom right of image)
  • UNDERGROUND (Sign, part of image)
  • RAT RACE / [a number] (On several bibs worn by the competitors, part of image.)
  • FLORA / RAT RACE (Banner along roadside, part of image)
  • note [underlined]: / [inscribed with name of owner of original] (Written in pencil on reverse, left, 'MARF' is artist signature)
  • ORIGINAL PRINT BY / MARF / [copyright symbol] 2003 (Written in pencil on reverse, right, 'MARF' is artist signature)
  • Cartoon co-incided with / the London Marathon / (Sunday) and the / dreaded Monday morning / commute, which was / particular [sic] chaotic that / morning what with tube / delays ... (Written in pencil on reverse, below left, 'MARF' is artist signature)
Credit line
Given by the artist
Object history
Donated by the artist.
Production
Attribution note: reproduction taken by artist of original drawing
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
This is a reproduction of an original drawn cartoon that appeared in the Evening Standard on 19 April 2004. It is artist Marf's take on the current news story. As she describes it: 'Sunday’s annual London Marathon is a triumph – but on Monday morning, images of the gruelling event resonate in commuters’ minds. In a year of job insecurity, and government calls for retirement to be delayed until 70 years of age as pension funds collapse, the future looks like one long slog.'

'Marf' drew daily topical cartoons for the Evening Standard between March 2002 and August 2005, moving to the Londoner's Diary page in August 2003. The drawings cover key political and social issues of the period, providing a vivid and often hilarious response to the main news of the day. The Evening Standard is London's only evening newspaper, publishing up to five editions a day. In Marf's own words: 'The cartoonist needs to keep up with the rapid pace of event.'
Collection
Accession number
E.380-2007

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdSeptember 4, 2007
Record URL
Download as: JSON